the master of a household; husband.
(initial capital letter) a title of respect used for a man below the rank of gentleman, especially a farmer or yeoman.
a husband
a man not of gentle birth: used as a title
a master of a household
Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at good, -man
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both Manuel Quezon and goodman Osme�a were mum last week.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Yes," she said, "so I am; only just now my goodman is out fishing, and as he's rather late, it makes me anxious."
From The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde and Other Stories by Morgan, Mary de
Why, I know time is, and that thou shalt hear, goodman kettle jaws.
From Amusing Prose Chap Books by Various
After this manner did the gleesome chat go on, now that the surly goodman had withdrawn from the scene.
From The Shepherd's Calendar Volume I (of II) by Hogg, James
What goodman boy, I say he shall, go too.
From Shakespeare in the Theatre by Poel, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
